Nate Diaz possibly out for six months with eye injury

This past Friday night may have marked a career-performance for Nate Diaz but it could also be the last time fans see the talented lightweight inside the Octagon again before summertime. Diaz was listed among the group of individuals who fought at UFC 141: Lesnar vs. Overeem receiving six-month suspensions for damage sustained in their respective bouts.

Specifically, the 26-year old most receive clearance from an ophthalmologist or sit out until June 28, with a minimum suspension involving “no contact” until January 30, based on an undisclosed “right eye injury”. Diaz absorbed a number of shots to the face during his Fight of the Night encounter with Donald Cerrone who himself will be out until Valentine’s Day with no contact until 1/30 due to a “cut lower lip”.

Other notable fighters possibly facing a mandated six-month vacation include Brock Lesnar, though the suspension means little in the wake of his retirement, as well as Vladimir Matyushenko and Manny Gamburyan. Both must receive clearance from an orthopedist with the former needing his left knee looked at and the latter his troublesome right shoulder (which will also require x-rays).

Here is a complete list of UFC 141 medical suspensions:

Diego Nunes – Suspended until 2/14 with no contact until 1/30 (cut left eye)Manny Gamburyan – Must have right shoulder x-rayed and cleared by an orthopedist or no contest until 6/28; minimum suspension with no contest until 1/30, no contact until 1/21Dong Hyun Kim – Suspended until 1/30 with no contact until 1/21 (left foot contusion)Junior Assuncao – Suspended until 1/30 with no contact until 1/21 (cut right cheek)Nam Phan – Suspended until 2/29 with no contact until 2/14 (cut right eyebrow)Alexander Gustafsson – Suspended until 1/30 with no contact until 1/21 (right tibia contusion)Vladimir Matyushenko – Must have left knee cleared by an orthopedist or no contest until 6/28; minimum suspension with no contest until 2/14, no contact until 1/30Jon Fitch – Suspended until 2/29 with no contact until 2/14Donald Cerrone – Suspended until 2/14 with no contact until 1/30 (cut lower lip)Nate Diaz – Must be cleared by an ophthalmologist or no contest until 6/28; minimum suspension with no contest until 1/30, no contact until 1/21 (right eye injury)Alistair Overeem – Suspended until 2/14 with no contact until 1/30 (cuts on right eye)Brock Lesnar – Must have abdominal injury cleared by a doctor or no contest until 6/28

Hopefully it’s nothing. Most of the time they wisely choose to err on the side of caution by stipulating long suspensions unless otherwise cleared, especially when the injury involves the eye, but I’m pretty sure Lil’ Diaz will be back in full training by Jan 22nd.

Hopefully Matyushenko doesn’t have anything too bad either. He may not be able to break into the upper crust of the division, but The Janitor is one of the most underrated fighters in MMA today. He reminds me a lot of Igor Vovhanchyn and I love it when I see him on a card.

other than being chubby bald guys and coming from the same corner of the world Vladimir and Igor i dont see having a whole lot in common. Mainly that Vladimir is dull as fuck to watch and Igor was always entertaining.
Give all the props in the world to Vlad for still fighting at a top level but i cant stand watching him fight